Why language matters
Tuning in to fathers
The transition to parenthood is a challenging time for all parents. 2 It is also a time when parents are potentially interacting with many health practitioners across a range of reproductive and perinatal health services. These interactions, whether positive or negative, can be highly influential in helping shape parents’ knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours. Although possibly unintentional, many fathers do not feel meaningfully engaged by the health system from preconception through to parenthood. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 This can raise their anxiety and create a sense of helplessness. 8, 9
Do you routinely look for meaningful ways to include each parent and to tune in to their particular questions or needs? It is worth remembering that fathers, and indeed all parents, are products of their environments. Their knowledge, skills and attitudes will have been influenced by the worlds they live in — their own childhood experiences, their families and friends, their culture, their education, their socio- economic status, the media, our health system, and so on. 11, 12, 13 All these factors work to develop a father’s identity, how they perceive their role/s and their engagement with their child and family.
Although all men are different, there are some trends in their preferences for receiving information. An Australian study 14 showed that:
Men generally appreciate a competent, “frank approach”
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They often seek information online, particularly if related to issues such as fertility Men usually want to receive factual, statistical and/or practical information about pregnancy
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They tend to respond well to the thoughtful use of humour
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Men typically value health practitioners’ empathy — their
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ability to communicate easily and on the person’s level, and to listen and understand the person’s perspective
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What do we mean by language?
We have taken a broad definition of language and communication to incorporate words (written and spoken), messages, non-verbal communication, visual elements and environments.
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Plus Paternal: Talking to Dads
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